In a memorandum to the Governor, Mr Tamizharasan alleged that the minister had ''abused'' Deputy Collector Janarthanan, a Dalit, by his caste name, while his henchmen tried to ''assault'' him.

When the police failed to take action for three months, after the incident took place in April, Mr Janarthanan had moved the Human Rights Commission, after which, police filed an FIR against the minister and others.

Condemning the behaviour of the minister, he demanded his arrest under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989 and also to him dropped from the council of ministers.